THE exclusive Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle will this week be among the objectors trying to block a proposed wind farm development close to the celebrity hideaway, claiming it will harm business.

CRE Energy, a subsidiary of ScottishPower, has put forward the plan to build 20 turbines, 80 metres high, at Beinn Tharsuinn on the boundary between Ross-shire and Sutherland.

It will be discussed at tomorrow’s special meeting of Highland Council’s planning, development, Europe and tourism committee.

Officials are recommending approval subject to a number of conditions.

The Carnegie Club has hired John Campbell QC, who is the counsel for the Fraser Inquiry into the Scottish Parliament building, to lead its case.

A spokesman said: "Our objection is based on the scenic impact of the turbines. It is a stunning, scenic firth and the turbines will change that view. The new owners of the club are investing heavily and are maintaining their objection."

Skibo, which hosted the wedding of Madonna and Guy Ritchie and is a favourite haunt of the rich and famous, is one of nearly 100 objectors to the plans.

Scottish Natural Heritage withdrew an objection after the company re-sited four of the turbines and re-routed an access track.

The wind farm would be almost two miles from the nearest house but is close to the Dornoch Firth National Scenic Area. It is one of a growing number of planned windfarms in the Highlands which has become a target for a number of potential developers.

So far, only two are operational, at Novar, in Ross-shire, and Forss, near Thurso, with a total of 36 turbines generating 19 megawatts of power.

However, another four have been approved but not yet built: in Dunbeath; Causeymire, Caithness; Edinbane in Skye; and Farr, near Inverness, and nearly 20 others are under consideration.

CRE Energy said that there is "generally strong support" for the wind farm locally and that 87 per cent of people who took part in a survey thought that Beinn Tharsuinn was a suitable location for it.